Grand Blanc Watchdogs

Imagine Grand Blanc
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Government

Lonnie Adkins and Monica Shapiro talk about what goes on at the Township. Think “the team” is asleep at the wheel? Think they waste our tax dollars? Think the township could be better? So do we! Let’s talk Grand Blanc!

  1. May 17

    Interview with Bruce Trevithick: Facts the Board Should Have Had

    Bruce is the Executive Director of the Genesee County Medical Control Authority, which collects data and oversees administration of the County's EMS system. In this interview he presents all the facts regarding Exclusive Contracts and the Geofencing model that the Township opted to approve because it protects their political donors. These are the facts that only Scott and Dennis had; they chose not to share the complete picture with the board, and as usual, directed the unanimous vote.

    30 min

  2. May 16

    Call with Abe

    This is a great one! Monica's son, comedian Abe Shapiro, mocks the Recall effort and makes his mother laugh. If you follow Abe on instagram you know how funny he is. Enjoy!

    13 min

  3. Apr 27

    Why Recall! Road Diet on Fenton Road ! Petitions start May 2!

    Lonnie and Monica talk about all the problems that have come to light SINCE the language for the recall was approved. Anthony Hudson told the board back then that we'd be wathing the and urged them to "act better." Well, folks, they haven't. After the incident at East Middle school where a mother was told it would be two hours before an ambulance would arrive, the board acted on limited information to approve a substandard ambulance contract - Geofencing - that does NOT guarantee response times, and leaves our community, of 40,000 people with 14 daily calls with only two ambulances to cover our needs. Why? because Patriot Ambulance is owned by donors to Scott Bennett's campaign. On the fire front we now have two lawsuits: one over the 160,000 dollar foia charge, (COVERUP) and a second one brough by firefighters over retaliation by Mr. Liimatta for speaking out in support of Chief Jent. The board has ignored Chief Jent's recommendations and are still planning to hire consultants instead. They've added a 125,000 administrative assistant to the already over-compenstated Mr. Liimatta, they've added several new positions in PR and DPW desk jobs without finding any money for the needed full-time firefighters. Mr. Bennett simply shrugged in the face of flooding caused by our 87 year old storm drain system. They are not listening to the many people who came out to protest the Fenton Road Diet. Petitions start circulating May 2. Email at petitions@gbrecall.com or call (815) 4RECALL if you'd like to have them brought to you or your neighborhood.

    52 min

  4. Apr 27

    Firefighter Lawsuit! More on Storm Drains! Ambulance Contract; Interview with Bruce Trevithick

    The Firefighter Lawsuit - four firefighters sued the Board and Dennis Liimatta for "retaliation" . We thank them for reminding the public that the problems in the Fire Department are very much ongoing. Mr. Liimatta is still trying to control and punish our first responders rather than work with Chief Jent to create the kind of Fire Department this community deserves. On another public safety front, Mr. Liimatta and Mr. Bennett never allowed the Board to decide for themselves if they thought the Exclusive Contract Model might be better for our township than Geofencing. Hint: there's no contest. The only reason we have substandard Geofencing model (which does not guarantee response times!) is that Patriot Ambulance owners are major donors to Mr. Bennett's campaign. We give you a chance to hear the facts on the two Ambulance Contract models from Bruce Trevithick, the director of the Genesee County Medical Control Authority - a presentation the Board ought to have had before they approved Geofencing. We discuss the storm drain situation and various potential solutions based on Monica's ongoing research into how other communities are managing to update their own aging storm drain systems.

    1h 2m

  5. Apr 25

    Floods! Shrug! Interview with Jeff Wright, Genesee County Drain Commissioner

    April 11 Metro Flint News Talk Radio broadcast Major floods the first weekend in April; The shocking lack of leadership by Supervisor Scott Bennet, some challenging questions for Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright and a lot of information about what needs to be done and how difficult yet not impossible the solutions are. #JeffWrightDrainCommissioner

    54 min

  6. Mar 29

    School Millage part II with Dara Shapiro

    In this second part of our School Millage discussion, Monica interviews her daughter Dara, a GBHS Graduate and current high school teacher. She has a Master's degree in education from Columbia Teachers College. Dara has taught in the New York City public schools and in the LA Unified School District and now a Charter school in Los Angeles. Dara shares some great insight into our Millage and Grand Blanc Schools in general.

    27 min

  7. Mar 29

    The School Millage

    This was part two of our second CCN radio show, in which we discussed the upcoming School Millage Renewal vote. Key points - Grand Blanc Schools have gone down in the annual US News and World Report on US high schools. We were perennially number one in Genesee County; this year we are number Eight. The millage is for a lot of flashy stuff but nowhere does the School Board address this academic decline or propose any solutions. Plus, voters need to be reminded that while renewing the 6.3 millage won't mean your taxes will go up; a no vote means your taxes will go down. On a 270,000 dollar house (median home value in Grand Blanc) this means a drop of 880.00 per year. However, Monica attends a meeting held by the school board and is almost convinced by the very excellent plan for a performing arts center. Still, there is no reason the Board can't go back to the drawing board on this one. They'll survive a year without that hefty 6.3 Mil... Would love to hear everyone's comments on this one! We'll be revisiting the topic soon!

    23 min

  8. Mar 29

    Chief Jent Ignored; Couple Denied Liquor License

    This is part one of our second CCN Radio Show, in which we discuss the Township meeting where Chief Jent gave his comprehensive year end review and and outlined future plans for the Department. Mr. Bennett thanked him for his presentation and as if he hadn't spoken, talked about how the Fire Department Task force consisting of Bennett, treasurer Yancho, Clerk Dave Robertson and Superintendent Liimatta (no Chief Jent) had had multiple meetings and would soon announce they were hiring a consultant - no doubt for the cost of hiring a full-time firefighter... As well they voted to deny a couple a liquor license for their wedding venue business, despite having had seven liquor licenses gathering dust around the township since the 2020 census, a decision which will cost them half their profits. Also Mr Liimatta added a thousand dollar fee to the cost of applying for a liquor license, and stated that if this couple reapplied they would have to pay the new fee as well as whatever the fee used to be.... Business as Usual for this Board!

    21 min
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About

Lonnie Adkins and Monica Shapiro talk about what goes on at the Township. Think “the team” is asleep at the wheel? Think they waste our tax dollars? Think the township could be better? So do we! Let’s talk Grand Blanc!

Information

  • Creator
    Imagine Grand Blanc
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Imagine Grand Blanc
  • Show Website
    Grand Blanc Watchdogs